Nanotechnology News – Latest Headlines

Defects in atomically thin semiconductor emit single photons

Researchers create optically active quantum dots in 2-D semiconductor for the first time; may have applications for integrated photonics.

May 4th, 2015

The random raman laser: A new light source for the microcosmos

Researchers demonstrate how a narrow-band strobe light source for speckle-free imaging has the potential to reveal microscopic forms of life.

May 4th, 2015

Many uses in researching quantum dots

Quantum dots can achieve higher levels of energy when light stimulates them.

May 4th, 2015

From brittle to plastic in one breath

Theorists show environments can alter 2-D materials' basic properties.

May 4th, 2015

Researchers probe chemistry, topography and mechanics with one instrument

The probe of an atomic force microscope (AFM) scans a surface to reveal details at a resolution 1,000 times greater than that of an optical microscope. That makes AFM the premier tool for analyzing physical features, but it cannot tell scientists anything about chemistry. For that they turn to the mass spectrometer. Now, scientists have combined these cornerstone capabilities into one instrument that can probe a sample in three dimensions and overlay information about the topography of its surface, the atomic-scale mechanical behavior near the surface, and the chemistry at and under the surface.

May 2nd, 2015

Engineering a better solar cell: Research pinpoints defects in popular perovskites

A new study demonstrates that perovskite materials, generally believed to be uniform in composition, actually contain flaws that can be engineered to improve solar devices even further.

Apr 30th, 2015

Quantum-mechanical monopoles discovered

Researchers have observed a point-like monopole in a quantum field itself for the first time. This discovery connects to important characteristics of the elusive monopole magnet.

Apr 30th, 2015

For batteries, one material does it all

Engineers have created a battery that is made entirely out of one material, which can both move electricity and store it.

Apr 30th, 2015

Why, and how, computational research matters is changing materials science

To stay competitive, businesses and governments are constantly looking for materials that will open the door to new technologies or sources of energy. Materials that will make their products faster, lighter, stronger or more efficient. Whoever develops those materials first will have a significant edge over the competition.

Apr 30th, 2015

No Hogwarts invitation required: Invisibility cloaks move into the real-life classroom

A new solid-state device can demonstrate the physical principles of invisibility cloaks without special equipment or magic spells.

Apr 30th, 2015

Photonic thermometers: Out of the lab, into a bucket of water

A new class of tiny chip-based thermometers has the potential to revolutionize the way temperature is gauged.

Apr 30th, 2015

Detecting effects of 3D shapes in nanoscale chip features

Researchers have determined that, at the ultra-small scale of the latest chip features, SEM measurements are strongly affected by variations in the gate's three-dimensional shape that can occur in the course of fabrication, including the line width and center position, the angle formed by a raised feature's sidewalls, the curvature radius of the top edge area, and the effect of adjacent structures.

Apr 30th, 2015

Desirable defects in liquid crystals

Introducing flaws into liquid crystals by inserting microspheres and then controlling them with electrical fields: that, in a nutshell, is the rationale behind a method that could be exploited for a new generation of advanced materials, potentially useful for optical technologies, electronic displays and e-readers.